Restless Leg Syndrome in Kids

C.,
I'm a teacher and have kids in my class who have a different kind of problem that seems to manifest itself in the way you are describing. Restless leg syndrome, from what I've heard from my own doctor, really does make one's legs unable to stay still and it mostly occurs at night which can interrupt sleep. But the child in one of my classes that reminds me most of what you are describing had some sort of syndrome that affects the tactile sense. In other words, certain fabrics, or any for that matter make the child extremely uncomfortable. The nerve endings closest to the skin are affected and things like tags on clothing etc. truly do make the child miserable. I've forgotten the exact name of this syndrome, but if you google "tactile syndromes" you might find your answer. I remember the mother of the child in my class saying it was nearly impossible to find clothing that didn't drive her daughter mad....underwear was the most difficult and she had to wear it inside out because the seams couldn't touch her body. I'm sure there are other parents out there who have children with sensitivities like your daughter. Perhaps if you find them through this site or others, you will be able to help her.
Best of luck.
KKM

From little what you wrote about your pedriatician, I have doubts about his or her abilities. I am not a doctor and can come up with a few ideas, so someone who studied this should know more.

My son (9) complains often that his legs are twitchy too, but I think these are more growing pains. My husband has a way to give him a massage, or apply pressure that it goes away.

Some kids have a sensory disorder, which someone described below. Often these kids cannot tolerate clothes well.

Then I can think of dry skin, that could itch so it will drive you crazy.

A nutritional deficiency could be another reason. I had a lot of leg cramps (I don't think your daughter is suffering from this) which went away with liquid magnesium.

Or, as others recommend, RLS.

I certainly would go and get a second opinion. Your pedriatician doesn't instill a lot of confidence.

Good luck, and I hope you get to the root of this!

I started with Restless Leg Syndrome when I was pregnant with my son (he was born in May of 2006) and I still have it. But when I was pregnant, my Midwife had just read an article saying that sometimes it is caused by low iron. She checked my iron and sure enough, it was low. I have always had a problem with low iron so I make sure I take my daily vitamin with iron in it. The only trouble I have with the Restless Leg Syndrome now is if I forget to take my vitamin a few days in a row - then the crawly feeling comes right back (daytime and nighttime). I would check with your Pedi and see if they could check her iron. It could be something as simple as that. I hope this helps - good luck!

This will work, I assure you. Go to your local health food store and purchase liquid magnesium. It comes in assorted flavors, strawberry, lemon, etc. Give your daughter 1 to 2 teaspoons a day. In a few days (up to a week) the symptoms wil stop. Let me know how it goes!

From,
A mom who has been there...

C., make sure you bring her in for some blood tests. Often, people get RLS in response to iron deficicency. Have them test her ferritin level and if below 50 she may need a supplement

I saw a commercial for this medication after reading your post, it is called mirapex for restless leg syndrome. Their website is mirapex.com and you may be able to get info from it. Good luck!

My mom has restless leg syndrome and she has tried numerous things. What has helped her the most is that there is typically an iron deficiency, they need iron. When you take iron, you need to take vitamin C, B-12 and magnesium for it to digest and assimilate in the body. You need to chk on what mg she should take. Have her iron checked with your Dr. first and the amount she can take. Doctors always want you to buy expensive drugs that do not work, and creams that claim they help are usually have some of these vitamins in them. It is cheaper to just take the vitamin. Hope that helps!

Restless leg Syndrome is common in my family, but not until 40 or 50 years of age. There are several prescriptions available that ease the problem which occurs especially at night. You will need to first discuss the overall problem with a pediatrician, then discuss if the medicine is approved for children. I have seen some over the counter remedies available at the pharmacy as well, again, read if they are approved for children. I have also seen recently an herbal remedy in a tea form at our local organic store.
Please reassure your child she is ok and that her skin needs some medicine : )

I think that the only treatment is by prescription, and I don't know if it can be given to children. Its called Requip..something to ask your doctor about though. I would also ask the doctor before you start any herbal supplements just to verify dosing and to make sure that they are ok for children to use.